Comments on: Guest Patient Blog: Jim Bonk 30 Days After Heart Valve Surgery http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/12/10/guest-patient-blog-jim-bonk-30-days-after-heart-valve-surgery/ Former Patient And Author, Adam Pick, Blogs About Heart Valve Replacement And Heart Valve Repair Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:18:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Anne McCormick http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/12/10/guest-patient-blog-jim-bonk-30-days-after-heart-valve-surgery/comment-page-1/#comment-3163 Anne McCormick Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:23:50 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/12/10/guest-patient-blog-jim-bonk-30-days-after-heart-valve-surgery/#comment-3163 I too have had been watching my biscuspic valve but suddenly, the end of November, things went south and I had trouble walking fast and when I saw the cardiologist he scheduled catherization . It was so bad that they kept me in the hospital after the catherization until I could get on the schedule for surgery which was the 4 days later. All I can say is - give in to it and keep our sense of humor. It IS scary but you have no choice. You will get it replaced or die, so as long as you have a good dr. and good hospital that is all you can do. It is up to them to do their jobs. I am 4 weeks post op and am trying to get my heart beat steady but otherwise ok. My brother & sister had already gone through the same thing. My surgeon said he has done 4,000 of these surgeries. All this being said it is still scary but again the alternative is not acceptable. Hang in there and think about whether or not you will get a tatoo over the scar. I too have had been watching my biscuspic valve but suddenly, the end of November, things went south and I had trouble walking fast and when I saw the cardiologist he scheduled catherization . It was so bad that they kept me in the hospital after the catherization until I could get on the schedule for surgery which was the 4 days later. All I can say is – give in to it and keep our sense of humor. It IS scary but you have no choice. You will get it replaced or die, so as long as you have a good dr. and good hospital that is all you can do. It is up to them to do their jobs. I am 4 weeks post op and am trying to get my heart beat steady but otherwise ok. My brother & sister had already gone through the same thing. My surgeon said he has done 4,000 of these surgeries. All this being said it is still scary but again the alternative is not acceptable. Hang in there and think about whether or not you will get a tatoo over the scar.

]]> By: gary http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/12/10/guest-patient-blog-jim-bonk-30-days-after-heart-valve-surgery/comment-page-1/#comment-3029 gary Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:12:58 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/12/10/guest-patient-blog-jim-bonk-30-days-after-heart-valve-surgery/#comment-3029 hi adam, i dont mind if you put this on your site. First of all, thanks again for sending me your book. it's very insightful. I've known for a few years that my bicuspic aortic valve and root will need to be replaced andI;ve been very "practical" and "matter of fact" about it. I has a cardiac catherization a couple of weeks ago, and some follow up studies. My right coronary artery has two more blockages (I had two drug eluding stents put in the same artery a few years ago) And, the aoritc valve regurgitation, is significant. I am going for a consult with Dr. Craig Smith at NY Presbyterian (Columbia University medical Center) next week. Well, yesterday, my cardiologist had a conversation with dr. smith, and told him about my history. I asked my cardiologist what Dr. Smiths initial thoughts were. He told me that it looks like I will need the surgery soon. well, now that it really looks like it should happen soon, that "practical" , "matter of fact" confidence I had, is turning to doubt, a little dispair, maybe depression, etc etc. does anyone on your site have any comments as to how to truly prepare for such a big, life changing event. How does someone prepare for it? any advice , reading material, comments from you or other patients? by the way, Jim's comments were very good to hear. Gary hi adam,
i dont mind if you put this on your site.
First of all, thanks again for sending me your book. it’s very insightful.

I’ve known for a few years that my bicuspic aortic valve and root will need to be replaced andI;ve been very “practical” and “matter of fact” about it. I has a cardiac catherization a couple of weeks ago, and some follow up studies. My right coronary artery has two more blockages (I had two drug eluding stents put in the same artery a few years ago) And, the aoritc valve regurgitation, is significant. I am going for a consult with Dr. Craig Smith at NY Presbyterian (Columbia University medical Center) next week. Well, yesterday, my cardiologist had a conversation with dr. smith, and told him about my history. I asked my cardiologist what Dr. Smiths initial thoughts were. He told me that it looks like I will need the surgery soon. well, now that it really looks like it should happen soon, that “practical” , “matter of fact” confidence I had, is turning to doubt, a little dispair, maybe depression, etc etc. does anyone on your site have any comments as to how to truly prepare for such a big, life changing event. How does someone prepare for it? any advice , reading material, comments from you or other patients? by the way, Jim’s comments were very good to hear.

Gary

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